Letters to the Editor 5/1/14

The beds of homeless people are inches apart at one of the city’s homeless shelters.

PHOTO BY ADAM SMITH

ON THE STREETSIn the article “Telling their stories” (April 24), Patrick Yeagle did a marvelous job portraying the story and my documentary, Untold Stories: Conversations with the Homeless.

In both photography and videography, it is our job to portray a story that will hopefully do justice to our subjects. Patrick helped in that he put together a story that does myself and my vision justice. Thank you, Patrick and Illinois Times, for helping me in this journey.

The day this article came out I received a phone call. It was a gentlemen who had read the article and found my number. It was wonderful hearing from a reader and I hope that many more will contact me with feedback on this article. I can be reached via comments on my Facebook page, Untold Stories: Conversations with the Homeless, the title of my documentary.

Adam SmithSpringfield

SWEET ADVICEI am writing to express my concerns with the unhealthy habits of today’s society that contribute to diabetes. According to the American Medical Association, nearly 11 million seniors, or 26.9 percent of the Medicare population, have diabetes and half of all seniors over age 65 have pre-diabetes. In addition, one in every three Medicare dollars is spent on diabetes and its complications.

There are several prevention programs that help delay and even completely prevent the onset of such a crippling illness. This prevention should be a national priority. Diabetes is a very costly disease that puts people at a much higher risk for other medical complications and other chronic diseases. With easy access, the correct intervention and information, diabetes can ultimately be prevented and its prevalence can be severely decreased even in those who are at a much higher risk.

Prevention methods do not require much extra effort. They include things such as weight loss and exercise. A major federally funded study of 3,234 people at high risk for diabetes showed that moderate diet and exercise of about 30 minutes or more, five or more days per week, or of 150 or more minutes per week, resulting in a 5-7 percent weight loss, can delay and possibly prevent Type 2 diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Diabetes Type 1 is where the islets cells on the pancreas are destroyed and do not produce insulin as they should. Insulin allows glucose to get into the cells to be used for energy. Inadequate amounts of insulin results in an elevated blood sugar (glucose) level. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells it can cause two problems: immediately your cells are starved for energy and over time high blood glucose levels can cause kidney damage, nerve damage or heart damage. Diabetes Type 2 is when the cells in the body do not respond to insulin even when it is being produced by the pancreas.

My hope is that this letter will promote advocacy toward the prevention of diabetes and influence the population to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Ashley PilonUIS studentSpringfield

Correction:The incorrect date for Springfield PrideFest was listed in last week’s paper in the calendar pick “Fierce Fete.” This year’s Springfield PrideFest takes place on Saturday, May 17. We apologize for the error.